Torque transmitting connection



H. T. KRAFT TOR QUE TRANSMITTING CONNECTICN Oct 9, 1945.

Filed June 23, i 1945 I 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Herman Kraft BY ATTORNE Oc t.9,1945. H. T. KRAI-T 2,386,478

TORQUE TRANSMITTING CONNECTION Filed June 23, 1.943 25hee'ts-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Her-man T. Kraft 5 I ATTORNEYS I Patented 9,,

m mo was? PATENT OFFICE r r n assent Toaoua'rnansm'r'rnm common nei-i'nan man. Akron, oiiimas signoito The .General Tire & Rubber Company, Akron, Ohio,

a corporation of Ohio L g Application m3, ,s mai1vo.491,9s3

, W8Claims;(0ll6411) angularity of the members applying andreceiving the torque. .7

A further obiect ofthe invention' isto provide a yieldable torque transmitting connection which is.of relatively, simple and inexpensive construc-' I and 2. The shaft I hasa splined end 3 or reduced diameter upon which a torque disk 4 is slidably mounted. The disk 4 has transverse driving pins 5 adjacent its periphery and has 5 inner and outer cylindrical flanges B and I on opposite faces which provide annular channels which open laterally and which are disposed back to back. An inflatable rubber annulus 8 is niounted in each of the channels and an annular l rubber pistonmember is mounted in each channel against. the outer face of each annulus 8. Fluid under pressure is supplied simultaneously to both inflated rubber annuli through a passage ill 'in the disk 4, suitable connection being provided tion,butwhich iseuitable-forheavy duty clutches between the passage In and e of he two and shaft couplings.-

A further object or the,inventioiiiisitoprovide a p p I, and which may be supplied with fluid under 'pressi'irethrough 'an axial passage IS in the a connection of the character-jdescribedinzwhich the cushioning-is done by 'a'number of. cushioning annuli 8. A pipe ll connects the passage In with a fitting. which is disposedaitially of the shaft units. each of which is of-simpleinxpensiv'e Bhafta construction,tl e unitsb'eing' so mounted in the connection that theconnection may belqulckly and easily assembledgandany ijone ,of the units may be qu-ickly and-replaced; v With the above and othervobjects in-view, the

invention may be said'tocomprise the connection shown in the accompanying drawings,.hereinafter described. and particulariyfset forth inthe appended claims together/with such variations and 'rnodiflcations thereof as will-beapparent to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

Reference should be had to the accompanying drawings. forining apart of this; specification in g which:

Itis not essential that the axial passage be formed in the shaft I since the fluid conduit may extend through the shaft 2 if desired..as shown in Fig. 5, where a fitting 14 is iattached tothe end 2 of the shaft! and has attached thereto an axially extending pipe I5 which extends througha central bore in the shaft 2. Beyond-the end of the shaft 2 the pipe I5 is journalled in a stationary chambered fitting l6 which is supplied with fluid under pressure through a pipe H and which delivers into the pipe l5through openings [8 in the pipe which are positioned in the fluid receiving chamber of the fitting.

' The pins 5 carried by the disk 4 provide sup- F1cure 1 is ai'i-axiai'se udii through a clutch porting and driving connections for a pair of employing the. connection of the: presentinvena inwardly projecting flanges adJacent their in- ,showing the positions which the parts ,of the cushioning unit assume when -the conriectionis sub'iectedto a severe torque load Rig. ,5 'is an axial section showing a slightly modified embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section on an enlarged scale through the cushioning unit shown in Fig. '5. In the accompanying drawings, the torque transmitting connection of the present invention,

-is shown applied to' a. clutch which provides a oppositely disposed conical shoes H which have ner ends which are provided with spaced slots 2| which are adapted to receive the pins 5; Each of the shoes [9 is provided with an outer inwardly extending flange 22 which has an inset annular inner edge portion 23 which is positioned in the channel of the disk in engagement with one of the pistons 9.. The shoes is are normally held in retracting positions by coil springs 24 which are attached at their opposite ends to the flanges 22. The conical friction shoes I! cooperate with an outer drum composed of two disk sections 25 and 5 26 which have conical portions 21 and 28 overlying the shoes I! and edge flanges 29 and 30 which are provided with flat opposed inner faces; The

flanges 29 and 30 'are secured together by means of a series of bolts 3|. A plurality of spaced driving connection ween aligned shafts so shims 32 are preferably interposed between the opposite faces of the flanges '29 and 30 and by -I which'is.of less curvature than the base porinserting' or removing shims, the two disks 25 and tion '4! of the slot and which normally bridges 26 may be adjusted to vary the clearance between an 'arc of the base wall 4! to hold the cushioning the conical portions 21 and 28. oi! the disks and V collar spaced from the central portion of the wall the internal conical shoes [9 5 4i. The spring has side arm portions 5! which By reason of its sliding connection with the i e bent to a cur a e greater than h g'fl shaft I the torque disk 4 is automatically cm- .band 46 and the-side portions 6i normally bear tered with respect to .the conical portions 21 and "against the opposite side walls 42 oi the slots 28 of the drum upon'engagement of the shoes with their outer ends bearing against the band IS with the portions 2l-an'd 28. I ,7 46 to normally space the cushioning collar sub- ,As shown in Fig. l of the drawings. the main stantially midway between the walls 42, as shown upport of the sectional drum is on the shaft I, in'Fls 3. e se tin m er 49 s provided the disk having a hub'oribearing portion 33 with an integral lug 52 in the base portion 60 which is provided'with a bushing 84 and rotatably which 'slida ly engages in 8,5001! 53 formed in mounted upon the shaft I, the hub 33 being held. 1 the base wall M of the slot. The seating member against axial movementsby-a flange 35 on the .4643 also provided with laterally bent tongues shaft against which one end; of the :bushing 34- or flanges 54 which-engage opposite faces ofthe abuts ands-washer 36 which engagesthe opposite flange-38 tofhold the seating member in place end of the bushingand which'is heldin'placej in the slot, the seating membersbeillg retained by means of a, nut 81 screwed'ontheshaft i.. in'the slots bythe tongues and being held It is not essential, however. that the drum be against turningmovements in-the slots bymeans so mounted, since if desired; the'drum may be oi'the lugs 52.- The spring seatingimembersrwwholly supported upon theshaft 2 asshown'in provideja substantial amount of play 'between Fig. 5 of the drawings. 1 the cushioning collar and the walls of the slots The rum'isuconnected to thejshait 2 thr ough in which they are mounted. When torsional a collar 38 which is'keyed to thelshaft 2 and f thrustis applied to the pins 43. h 1 4 r h h has a'iiange 39 t0 which the (1181:1615 forcedwowalfld 'Ol'i side 01' the other 0! the slots yieldably connected." vflhe'Tflange :19 provided M 40 and. the-1 pressure? ofthe band 46 against the es e peripheral penings or slots side poi-tionjl of the spring seatcau'ses the 40 which preferably open to the periphery of. the portion 5! to' beflattened enough to conform to flange. ;'Ihe slots40 are-preferably formed{iiiiithfj'v the curvature of the'band 46. Torsional press mug-t6 n r r bh'se' walls; 4 ,.':;ehd";w th side sure also caiisestheband 46 tobe pressed lat'-- walls 42 which aredisposed,substantiallyaparallel j erally againstrubbe'r cushioning l l.r with a-radius passing centrallythrou'gh the'sht. torting the collanas shown in Fig. 4' of the The disk 1 p v iw h e'series f driving J drawings": The cushioning collar u and seating pins in-the-iorin cf bolts;43'which.are-screwed -spring 48 provide 'ayielding connection between into threaded "axial-openings in "the disk and. thedisk 26 and the shaft 2 which will permit which are positioned to extend centrally through R gu helate ral, displacements of the shaft 2 with each of the slots 40.. "In orderfto provide a -yield-, 1 respect to the axis of the shaft for slight angular able and shock cushioning connection between wdispiacements'cr the shaft 2 with respectto the lthe disk. 25 and the shaft 2.: each of the-, o shaft l and,'-regardless of such displacements, a

'43 carries a resilient'cylindrical rubber collar 44 substantial amountof relative angularmovementwhich p v a eribetween'the'bcit; and will be permitted between the shaft 2 and the the flanged 00118.1 To facilitate .the mountshaft i due to the cushioning. action of the spring ing of the resilient collars 44 upon the .bolts' .43 5 49 and of the cushioning collar 44.

and to enable the cellars to e ly an easily In lighter .clutches or couplings in which it is removed f m the bolts, t e 00 1 are P ra y not necessary to providefor a substantial amount provided with a centralbushing 45 within which 5 misalignment, the seating spring may be the bolt 43 has a sliding.flt.. The collar is also m e a t cushioning collar may fit in prefe ab ided wit a euterbend 48 which 60 openings or slotsof the member with which itis closely fitted upon theperiphery of the rubber has driving connection; 0011813 l a As shown in Fig. 5, the shaft 2 may be provided The annular rubber (301194 15 P m with with a, flanged collar which. has an opening cir n r of axial holes filw ns v as withinxwhich the band 46 of the cushioning crease the yieldability oi the collar. The central 55 11 h s a snug fit. bushing 45 and outer band 1 which m be Itistobe'understood that variations and modiformed bf l are Preferably shortelthan the iications of the specific devices herein shown and W body 44 that the rubber m described for purposes or illustration may be made 44 is'adapted to be compress against the oiltert without departing from the spirit of the inven- .face:of the disk 26vbyXmeans oi-a'washer'lQ-oo v fexerted thereon through the-band 46.

whichis interposedbetween'theouterendoi'the -w 1 1 p 5 rubber bo y a d the head of the belt the 1.1a yieldable torque transmitting clement h 45 being 81mm! than the bushing t comprising two substantially concentric disks. one the, rubber collar m yi l when pressure s having a series of circumierentially spaced slots and the other having driving members project- Inorder to incr t e re a angular m ing through said slots. a rubber collar on each ment between the shaft 2 and the-fri tion drum. of said members. and resilient yieldable seating the collars 44 are preferably ir ldi siy held Out members; interposed between said collars and 1 f contact with'the wallsoi the slots -46 .by the'wallssof said slots.

'. means of spring seating members 49 which em- 25A yieldable torque transmitting clement brace the bands 46 of the collars. "Eachspringcomprising the substantially, concentric disks, s ting'member 49 is formed of a S g e} piece one of said disks being of annular form, of larger of resilient sheet metal be o l' a c diameter than the other diskarid having its inner in which one of the cushioning collars 44 may peripheral portion overlapping the o'uter'periphbe seated. j The member 49 has}; base portion eral portion 'ofthe otherdisk. one of'said disks -walls 01' said recesses. N

3. A yieldable torque transmitting element comprising two substantially concentric disks, one

having 'circumferentially spaced slots and the other or said disks having driving members projecting through said slots, a rubber collar on each of said members, and resilient yieldable seating members interposed between said collars and the havinga series of circumferentially spaced slots,

each slot having an end wall of arcuate contour and side walls symmetrical with respect to a radius extending centrallythrough the slot, axially extending pins each extending through a slot of the slotted disk and attached to the other disk, a rubber collar on each pin, and a onepiece spring embracing each of said collars, each spring having opposite sideportions which are of greater curvature than the periphery of the 'collar and which engage opposite side walls, and

an intermediate connecting portion which is normally spaced from the arcuate end wall of the slot.

4. A yieldable torque transmitting element comprising two substantially concentric disks, one having a series of circumferentially spaced slots, each slot havingan end wall of substantially arcuate contour and side walls symmetrical with through aslot .of the, slotted disk and attached to the other disk, each collar having an inner silient yieldable seating members mounted in'said slots and embracing said bands.

7. A yieldable torque transmitting element comprising two substantially concentric disks, one

having a series of circumferentially spaced slots, each slot having an end wall of substantially arcuate contour and side-walls symmetrical with respect to a radius extending centrally through i the slot, axially extendingnpins each extending through a slot of the slotted disk and attached to the other'disk, a rubber collar on each pin, each collar having aninner bushing adapted to fit upon an axially extending pin and an outer cylindrical retaining band, said collars having axial openings in the body thereof between the bushing and band, and resilient yieldablerseating members mounted in said slots and embracing said bands.

5. A yieldable torque transmitting element comprising two substantially concentric disks, one having a series of circumferentially spaced slots, each slot having an end wall of substantially 1 arcuate contour and side walls symmetrical with respect tola radius extending centrally through the slot, axially extending pins each extending through a slot of the slotted disk and attached to the other disk, a rubber collar on each pin, a one-piece spring mounted in each of said slots,

each spring having a baseportion'of less curvature than the arcuate end wall of the slot and bridging an arc of said end wall, said spring having side a'rm portions of greater curvature than said band, each engaging said band at spaced points and having an intermediate portion engaging the sidewalls of said slot and means for retaining said spring in said slot and for holding the spring against turning movements.

36. A yieldable torque transmitting element comprising two substantially concentric disks, one

having a series of circumferentially spacedslots,

each slothavingan end wall of substantially arcuate contour. and side walls symmetrical with respect to a radius extending centrally through i the slot, axially extending pins each extending respect to a radius extending centrally through the slot,axially extendin pins each extending through a slot of the slotted disk and attached to the other disk, each collar having an inner bushing adapted to fit upon an axially extending pin and an outer cylindrical retaining band,

said collars having axial openings in the body thereof between the bushing and band, a onepiece spring mounted in each of said slots, each spring having a base portion of lesscurvature than the. arcuate, end wall of the slot and bridging an arc of said end wall, said spring having a side arm portions of greater curvature than said band, each engaging said band at spaced points and having an intermediate portion engaging the side walls of said'slot, and means forhretaining said spring in said slot and for holding the spring against turning movements.

8. A yieldable torque transmitting element comprising two substantially concentric disks, one

having a series of circumferentially spaced slots,

each slot having an endwall of substantially arcuate contour and side wall symmetrical with respect toa radius extending centrally through the slot, axially extending pins each extendin through a slot of the slotted disk and attached to the other disk, each collar having an innerbushing adapted to fit upon an axially extending pin' and an outer cylindrical retaining band, said collars having axial openings in the body thereof between the bushing and band, said arcuate'end wall having a recess disposed centrally thereof,

and a one-piece spring mountedin each of said slots, each spring having a base portion of less curvature than said arcuate end portion of the slot and bridging an arc of said end wall, said base portion having a ing projecting into said recess to;hold the spring against turning. movement, said lug being movable'in said recess to 7 'permit the base of the spring to move: toward the end wall of the slot, said spring having side arm portions otgreater curvature than said cylindrical driving member, each arm portion engaging said cylindricalband and having a portion engaging a side wall .of the slot. 

